Overture! The Philharmonic Brass & Tugan Sokhiev

• Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975): Festive Overture, Op. 96:
• 1Shostakovich: Festive Overture, Op. 96 (Arr. Lawrence for Brass Ensemble)06:04
• George Gershwin (1898 - 1937): Cuban Overture:
• 2Gershwin: Cuban Overture (Arr. Lawrence for Brass Ensemble)10:12
• Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901): La forza del destino Overture:
• 3Verdi: La forza del destino Overture (Arr. Höfs for Brass Ensemble)07:07
• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Egmont Overture, Op. 34:
• 4van Beethoven: Egmont Overture, Op. 34 (Arr. Höfs for Brass Ensemble)08:02
• Alexander Borodin (1833 - 1887): Prince Igor Overture:
• 5Borodin: Prince Igor Overture (Arr. Lawrence for Brass Ensemble)10:10
• Antonín Dvořák (1841 - 1904): Carnival Overture, Op. 92:
• 6Dvořák: Carnival Overture, Op. 92 (Arr. Lawrence for Brass Ensemble)09:26
• Total Runtime51:01

Info for Overture!

What happens when the illustrious brass sections of the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic come together? The answer = The Philharmonic Brass. Making its debut in Vienna’s Musikverein last April, the group will come together for recording, tours and education work. Comprising some of the best-known faces in the brass world from Berlin, Vienna and their friends, the group includes Sarah Willis (horn) and Paul Halwax (tuba). This debut album ‘Overture!’ is conducted by Tugan Sokhiev and includes virtuoso arrangements of some of the best-known overtures including Verdi’s La Forza del Destino and Gershwin’s Cuban Overture.

On November 3rd The Philharmonic Brass unveil their highly anticipated debut album: ‘Overture!’ Conducted by the internationally renowned Tugan Sokhiev, the album presents virtuosic arrangements of well-known overtures, notably Verdi’s “La Forza del Destino” and Gershwin’s “Cuban Overture.”

Dominic Fyfe, Label Director of Decca Classics says: “There is nothing quite as thrilling or uplifting as the virtuosity of brilliantly played brass. The Philharmonic Brass take this to another level with the combined sections of the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras plus friends. We are delighted to bring their music to a global audience and to help amplify their great education initiatives around the world. Following in a strong Decca tradition this is news which will excite fans of groups like the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and Canadian Brass”.

Making its debut in Vienna’s Musikverein in April 2023, the group will come together for recording, tours and education work.

Beyond their artistic pursuits, The Philharmonic Brass is committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Their Youth Development Program offers scholarships, coaching, and private lessons to aspiring young musicians, aiming to perpetuate classical music traditions.

Distinguished conductor Tugan Sokhiev, a Patron of The Philharmonic Brass Education Program, demonstrates his support for this philanthropic endeavour. His collaboration with the ensemble on their inaugural album recording underscores the significance of preserving classical music heritage and the traditions associated with playing these instruments.

The Philharmonic Brass
Tugan Sokhiev, direction

The Philharmonic Brass
Sixteen brass players and four percussionists, members of the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras & Friends had a burning passion to create an exciting new listening experience. Drawing on a collective wealth of experience having performed in the greatest concert halls worldwide, they have formed a brand new ensemble: The Philharmonic Brass.

Performing an eclectic mix of music from Johann Sebastian Bach to John Williams, the ensemble traces its origins back to the wind music tradition at princely and royal courts in the 18th century, which flourished under Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as traditional folk music and local music-making. This heritage was carried forward in the long tradition of orchestral playing in both the Philharmonic Orchestras of Berlin and Vienna – and now finding a new path in terms of instrumentation and playing technique. This results in imagery and emotions that can be shaped through close interaction with the audience, in the creative environment of a concert.

The Philharmonic Brass play brand new arrangements especially tailored to their musicians. The technical and artistic demands of the arrangements – extraordinary virtuosity, rich variety of tonal colors, and fidelity to the intention of the work – are an essential requirement for realizing an artistic vision in accord with its creator: the composer.

Working with conductors who are closely tied to both the Berlin and the Vienna Philharmonic, The Philharmonic Brass aim to create an unforgettable concert experience. In a special collaboration with Decca Classics, the ensemble will release an EP and a full album internationally in 2023.

This album contains no booklet.